CEED Exam Syllabus 2026: Check Important Topics and Syllabus for Part A & B

Visualization and Spatial Ability

Pictorial and diagrammatic questions to test the understanding of transformation and/or manipulation of 2D shapes and 3D objects and their spatial relationships; knowledge of practical and everyday mechanical and scientific concepts.

Environmental and Social Awareness

General awareness of environmental factors such as climate, vegetation, weather, water, population, water, pollution, natural resources, etc., and their impact and implications on the design of products, images, infrastructure, and environment. Awareness of social and cultural connection with the design, history of the designed artefact, and socially responsible and environmentally sustainable design responses. History of art, sculpture, and literature.

Analytical and Logical Reasoning

Ability to look at information, be it qualitative or quantitative in nature, and discern patterns within the information. Ability to weigh opinions, arguments, or solutions against appropriate criteria. Ability to check for hidden bias or hidden assumptions and whether evidence and argument support conclusions. Ability to use logic and structured thinking to deduce from a short passage, which of a number of statements is the most accurate response to a posed question. Data Interpretation, brainteasers and patterns.

Language and Creativity

Ability to understand and use Standard English. Reading comprehension, knowledge of English grammar such as sentence structure and usage, the use of tenses, verb patterns, articles, and active and passive constructions, etc. & vocabulary skills. Ability to think creatively in terms of alternatives, ability to distinguish innovative options and think out of the box.

Design Thinking and Problem Solving

Ability to use visual analogies, metaphors, signs and symbols. Ability to understand complexity, identify problems, generate alternatives, evaluate options and select solutions.

Observation and Design Sensitivity

Ability to detect concealed properties in ordinary things, people, situations, and events, and think critically about them. Applying attention to certain details, analysing, reasoning, classifying, inferring and predicting. Ability to discern subtle differences in visual properties and

Drawing

Ability to draw products, people, or scenes in proportion with good line quality, composition, proportion, perspective and shading.

Creativity

Ability to think out-of-the-box and come up with unique as well as diverse solutions.

Communication Skills

Ability to communicate concepts and ideas clearly with the help of text and visuals.

Analytical and Problem Solving Skills

Ability to understand the user and the context, knowledge of properties of materials and processes and their appropriate use in design, originality of solutions, ability to create characters, plots, and stories, etc.

Global Personalities

Tech, Sports, Arts, & Design

Tech: Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella. Sports: Neeraj Chopra. Arts: Raja Ravi Varma, S.H. Raza. Design: B.V. Doshi, James Dyson.

Visual Design Fundamentals

Typography, Color, & Logos

Terms: Kerning, Leading, Serif/Sans-serif. Color: Hue, Saturation, Value. Logos: Apple, Nike, BMW (Symbolism).

Science & Engineering

Biomechanics, Physics, & Materials

Biomechanics: Human gait, ergonomics. Physics: Optics, Law of Reflection. Materials: Polymers, Composites, Ceramics.

Applied Mathematics

Geometry & Combinatorics

Geometry: $SA = 4pi r^2$ (Sphere), $V = frac{1}{3}pi r^2h$ (Cone). Stats: Probability and Permutation ($^nP_r$).

Art & Architecture

Movements, Elements, & History

Movements: Renaissance, Bauhaus, Cubism. Elements: Arch, Vault, Pylon, Minaret. History: Taj Mahal, Parthenon.

Technical Visualization

Sciography, Light, & Shadows

Sciography: Vanishing points, 1/2/3-point perspective. Patterns: Tessellations (Escher style), Fractals.

Media & Animation

Photography & Film Terms

Photography: Rule of Thirds, Bokeh, Exposure Triangle. Animation: Frame rate (FPS), Keyframing, Onion Skinning.

Reasoning & English

Logical & Verbal Aptitude

Logic: Syllogisms, Dice problems, Mirror imaging. Verbal: Antonyms, Synonyms, Reading Comprehension.

Problem Solving

Solving real-world issues through design.

Identify the Pain Point: Who is the user? What is the problem? SCAMPER: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Purpose, Eliminate, Reverse.

Still Life Drawing

Capturing form, texture, and light.

Lighting: Use a single light source to define "Core Shadows" and "Cast Shadows." Composition: Use the "Rule of Thirds" to place objects.

Human & Animal Figures

Understanding proportions and movement.

Human Proportion: Usually 7.5 to 8 heads tall. Line of Action: A single fluid curve that captures the gesture/energy of a pose.

Perspective Drawing

Creating 3D space on a 2D surface.

1-Point: For interiors/hallways. 2-Point: For building exteriors. 3-Point: For "Bird’s Eye" (top) or "Worm’s Eye" (bottom) views.

Comic Strips & Storyboards

Visual storytelling and sequence.

The "Hook": Start with an establishing shot. Pacing: Vary panel sizes to speed up or slow down the narrative flow.

Automobile & Product Sketching

Industrial design and form.

Line Weight: Use thick lines for the outer silhouette and thin lines for internal details. Aerodynamics: Focus on "streamlined" organic curves.

2D Graphic Design

Communicating through symbols.

Hierarchy: Using size and color to tell the viewer what to look at first. Negative Space: Using the background to create a secondary image (e.g., FedEx arrow).

Creative Writing

Narrating a vision or concept.

Perspective: Try writing from the point of view of an inanimate object (e.g., "The Life of a Lost Key"). Sensory Details: Show, don't just tell.